Frozen in time, it seems, Bethel, north of Shelbyville, is one of the more interesting towns I have visited, and is a must-see for those interested in Antebellum Missouri. One of the largest collections of buildings from before the Civil War, it represents a time and place that is mostly gone due to development in older cities such as St. Louis. Read about the town here, and read the National Register document here. It was founded by Wilhelm Keil from Germany, and was one of many planned, intentional communities founded by immigrants in the Nineteent Century. It seems ripe for more development as a major historical site, but again, as much of this area, is very remote.
Bethel